Since Ricky was impulsive and easily got into conflicts with others, he was naturally on edge when he saw Zachary.Irene quickly turned to Zachary. "It's late. You should head straight home."She barely finished when a blur darted toward them and punched Zachary in the face.Irene quickly caught Ricky. "What are you doing?! Both of you are hurt!"On the other hand, Zachary wiped his lips and looked at Ricky askance.Still, he said. "It's fine… I'll be giving up on Lulu, Ricky. Just do what you will with her—you don't have to be hostile with me now."Although he did not hit back, Ricky snorted. "You're despicable, Zachary Slate. Playing goody two shoes now after what you did? She wouldn't have left if you'd let go of her sooner!""Left? Where to?" Zachary, who was completely in the dark, was naturally surprised by what Ricky said. After all, Lulu did not have relatives, and her only connection was her best friend, Irene.He quickly turned toward Irene and asked, "Where did she
"It's me," Isaac whispered softly into Irene's ear. She turned and smacked him on the chest in annoyance. "You scared me."Isaac held her hands down. "I'll be more careful next time."Irene took a moment to calm down then—her heart had almost leapt out of her throat just now, as she thought someone had broken in.Still, she became worried anyway. "I wonder how Lulu's doing. Where would she go? She's all by herself…"Isaac frowned slightly and asked, "Aren't you tired?"Irene flexed her neck in response—it had certainly been a long day, and it was very late. "Yeah," she replied with a yawn."So why bother?" Irene realized then that he was not concerned, but complaining that she was being a busybody instead."They're family," she grumbled. "I can't do nothing—""Yeah, now go to bed." Isaac wrapped his arms around her then.She sighed. "I haven't bathed…""It's fine to skip for a day. Go to bed."Irene fell in bed and closed her eyes as she spoke. "Fine. I'll do it tomorr
"Shush." Yolanda King put a finger on her lips.Irene frowned when she saw who it was. "What are you doing?"What was Yolanda being so hushed about?She could just say it directly, whatever it was—why drag her to this quiet place? Irene almost thought it was a villain."I'm worried we'd be seen!" Yolanda grinned. "Anyway, I just wanted to thank you."Irene straightened her clothes and asked, "What for?"Yolanda actually felt awkward just then. "You know what for."Irene actually did not. "I'm going if you won't say it.""Oh, don't be in such a hurry!" Yoland exclaimed, catching her."It's work hours," Irene said flatly. Yolanda smiled in embarrassment. "Well, it's for you not to reveal that it was me last night. I know you did that for my sake."Irene brushed nonexistent dust off her clothes. "It's nothing. Having one person being ostracized in the building is more than enough, and the rest of you would at least be able to get along. The big picture, right?"There was furt
Irene was still staring at the diagnosis report as she murmured softly, "How could this be…?" So, Dennis was in a hurry to retire… because of his condition?She was a heart surgeon who had been researching artificial hearts and knew best when it comes to heart conditions.While Dennis's malignant arrhythmia sounded less scary than heart failure, it was dangerous regardless!Arrhythmia—especially malignant cases—posed danger because it meant the distortion of the heart's regular rhythm, causing it to beat irregularly or just stop abruptly. Patients might suddenly lose consciousness out of the blue and faint, which required emergency resuscitation right away or it would mean death! And judging from the diagnosis data, Dennis's condition was very serious. Benign cases or early discovery might be curable, but it was not the case for Dennis—all he could do was control the symptoms to control the symptoms. But should the worst strike…Irene found it ironic that Dennis would have
Zachary managed to jam his foot on the brake pedal in time and his car barely missed the person in front of the car.As he frowned, Ember called out to him from the front of the car. "Zachary."She was not throwing a fit or being hysterical—she merely watched him calmly.Even so, Zachary did not want anything to do with her."Move, or I'll call security."Ember held his gaze for a while from across the windshield, but she said, "Call them if you want, and if you don't mind me coming again. Because I'll do it if you refuse to talk to me."Zachary narrowed his eyes. "Are you threatening me?" "No, I just want to talk to you," Ember replied."Do you think that you're in a position to discuss terms?" he asked icily."I'm not discussing terms. Can't I just talk to you?""No." Zachary refused determinedly. "I don't want to see you, and I don't want to know a thing about you.""You're really being merciless even though we were once married," Ember murmured. "I've never hated you
The letter read: [Dear Irene, I will be leaving. Don't come looking for me—I'm an adult who can take care of myself.][I'm sure this letter would surprise you, but I have to tell you that I've thought this through.][I've actually heeded your advice, and I found it to be true. I've also read that chasing after butterflies never work—one should instead plant flowers to draw it to you, and it was more or less the same as what you said: be successful, and draw that butterfly I love to me.][I don't know if I would actually make it, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm determined to make something for myself, and I won't be coming back before I succeed.] [I know that I would have a better chance if I stayed with you, especially with my brother-in-law's help—but I don't want to be helped. I want to see how far I can go myself, if I'm a person who has what it takes to build something for himself.][I just might be too ashamed to return if I fail, but you have nothing to worry about
Dennis Turner was just alighting and heading to his apartment. "What are you doing here?""Mr. Turner," Irene greeted him in return as she walked up to him."Is there a problem?" he asked.Irene nodded."Alright, let's talk at my place. You can eat with us tonight," he said."No, we should keep this outside. And somewhere quiet," Irene said in refusal.Dennis stared at her for a moment, noticing that she looked like she had something important to say. "Alright. There's this restaurant nearby, and I often go there since the pasta is good. It's my treat."With that, he started to walk, while Irene followed. "I shall take you up on your offer.""Of course," Dennis said with a chuckle. "You don't have to hold back with me."The restaurant was beneath one of the apartment blocks, and they reached it in a couple of minutes.It was no luxury establishment, but everything inside was squeaky clean.Dennis ordered two pastas along with other side dishes."Why don't you tell me what
Irene was puzzled to see Erin Gooding in the children's boutique, holding a pink baby jumper and finding it pretty.She admired it for a while, and was surprised to see Irene standing at the doorway when she put it down. "Hey, sis! What are you doing here? Getting some clothes for the children?"Irene entered. "I was just passing by, so I came in."Erin actually thought that she came expressly. "I see…" "I'll buy some if I find something that suits them, though," Irene added.Erin started to help eagerly right then, picking several that fit Irene's second son. "I think these look good."Irene liked them too—Erin certainly had good taste.Hesitating for a moment, Irene then asked, "Are you here alone?"Erin lowered her head and murmured softly, "Yeah.""Are you pregnant?" Irene asked tentatively."...Yeah."Irene smiled. "Congratulations."Still, Erin appeared unhappy. "I want to marry, but James says that he's busy and we can only get registered. I want a wedding and ge